Hemorrhoid Symptoms

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Pain and pressure in the rectal area, sometimes feeling like the need for a bowel movement

Hemorrhoids may cause no symptoms (asymptomatic) especially if their location is above the anus, further in the rectum. The only symptoms you may have is bleeding on bowel movements or wiping after.

People who are pregnant, elderly, chronically constipated, strain during bowel movements, or who sit for prolonged periods of time are at higher risk for developing hemorrhoids.

There are many treatment options for hemorrhoids including over-the-counter, prescription, and surgical. Contact your doctor if you experience rectal bleeding or severe pain, or are unable to have a bowel movement, as this could be a symptom of another more severe problem.